ATHENS ----- Former All-SEC linebacker, 3-year University of Georgia letterman and NFL veteran Tony Gilbert has been named Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at UGA, according to an announcement Tuesday by head football coach Mark Richt.

Gilbert, a native of Macon, was the defensive captain of the Bulldogs' 2002 SEC championship team, which finished 13-1 overall, won the Sugar Bowl and finished the season ranked third in the national polls. He had 114 tackles that season, including 2.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for lost yardage, and earned 2nd team All-SEC honors that season. Gilbert currently ranks 10th on Georgia’s all-time list of career tacklers with 328.

"I'm thrilled to have Tony as part of our strength staff and program," said Richt. "His experience as a member of a UGA SEC championship team and an NFL player is a perfect combination for us. Our players will benefit greatly from his knowledge."

As a professional, Gilbert was drafted in 2003 by the Arizona Cardinals and eventually saw action for two teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

"I'm very excited and thankful for the opportunity to come back and be a member of the staff here at Georgia," Gilbert said. "This is where I played, went to school and graduated, so I consider it an honor to contribute once again to the program and to have an impact on young men's lives. I'm really looking forward to it."